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| − | {{Infobox vacuumFormer}}
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| − | ==What is Vacuum Forming?==
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| − | Vacuum forming is a thermoforming manufacturing method used to shape plastic.
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| − | *A mold is placed on a surface that contains many small holes
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| − | *A sheet of plastic is clamped in a frame and heated until soft
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| − | *The hot plastic is pulled over the mold, and a vacuum sucks through the small holes and forms the plastic over the mold
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| − | *The result is a plastic impression of the mold’s contour
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| − | Vacuum forming can be used to mass produce functional items such as plastic packaging, and for creative works such as resin molds and costume pieces.
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| − | [https://aetlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/Vacuum_Forming_Guide.pdf Vacuum Forming Guide for the Classroom]
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| − | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74l7hfbgi0s&t=1m6s Video of the Nichols Model 10-B in use.]<br />
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| − | ==Access & Use==
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| − | Access policy not yet established
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| − | ==Materials==
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| − | The default frame size of the Nichols Model 10-B is 14" x 20", and thermoplastic material will need to be this exact size.
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| − | There are plans to create removeable frame inserts to allow for smaller, more standard sizes of material. This will reduce plastic waste and also increase the vacuum power.
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| − | Recommended material thickness is 0.02” to 0.06”(approx. 0.5mm to 1.5mm). Most types of thermoplastic will work, but these types are recommended:
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| − | {| class="wikitable"
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| − | |+
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| − | !Plastic type
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| − | !0.5mm heating time
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| − | !1mm heating time
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| − | !1.5mm heating time
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| − | |-
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| − | |HIPS (high impact polystyrene)
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| − | |15 seconds
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| − | |30 seconds
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| − | |45 seconds
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| − | |-
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| − | |PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol)
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| − | |15 seconds
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| − | |30 seconds
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| − | |45 seconds
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| − | |-
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| − | |ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
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| − | |20 seconds
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| − | |40 seconds
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| − | |60 seconds
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| − | |}
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| − | Heating times are approximate.
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| − | LDPE (low density polyethylene) is not recommended as the machine cannot heat the plastic hot enough to mold.
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| − | <br />
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| − | ==Mold Design==
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| − | This section will contain information about creating molds, mold materials to use, and design best practices,
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